We want to welcome you to an exciting 3rd grade year! We are looking forward to teaching your children. In order for your children to be successful this year with the new Common Core State Standards, it is important for them to do the following things:

They need to practice their reading and math skills by completing their homework each day. Since each skill is often built on the next, students will fall behind if their homework is not completed each day.

Mastering the multiplication and division facts are critical to the children’s achievement in math. Students who do not know their facts are at a disadvantage when taking the classroom, district, and Smarter Balanced (SBAC) test. Please make sure your children are practicing their math facts daily. Our school is participating in the IXL math program in order to support our goal towards math proficiency. We expect your children to practice the skills and standards in the program each day for 15 minutes. Students can also log in to their McGraw Hill ConnectEd Math account and practice Fact Dash as well. They can log on to ixl.com by using the same user name and password as the Accelerated Reading Program.

Third grade uses the Accelerated Reading (AR) Comprehension Program every day. We are really proud of our AR program and our students’ progress towards achieving greater fluency and comprehension as they move through the book levels. Part of the program includes setting trimester goals which students are expected to achieve. In order to do this, they should be reading at home and at school to increase their reading skills one or more grade level by the end of the year. To assist students in studying for their English Language Arts (ELA) tests each week, they can practice the weekly skills by logging onto http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com and clicking on the Games icon using their special password provided by their teacher.

Good behavior is essential to student learning and achievement. Students are expected to follow classroom and school rules. One of the most important skills children need to develop is being able to listen to directions and instructions for longer periods of time. You can increase their attention span by reading to them, asking them questions, and having them repeat directions given.

On the first day of school, we would appreciate it if students bring in the donated school supplies found in the registration packet from their teacher.

Thank you for your support and cooperation in making this year a successful one.